Apparatus for applying tape and method therefor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and a method for applying a tape on a belt-like member which is being fed continuously are disclosed in which a new tape loaded as a spare is delivered when the tape is depleted so as to continue the operation of applying the tape, so that the tape can be continuously stuck on the belt-like member by using several tapes while eliminating the necessity of stopping the operation of applying the tape onto the belt-like member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method forcontinuously applying a tape. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to an apparatus and a method for continuously applying, forexample, a double-coated tape with a separation sheet for use to securefreshness-keeping agents or desiccating agents on packing bags or thecovers of packing containers for accommodating foods such asconfections, delicacies, Chinese noodles, hams, salami, sausages andboiled rice to the freshness-keeping agents, the desiccating agents or abelt-like film for use to form the cover of the packing container.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, a freshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent has beenaccommodated in a small bag which has usually and simply beenaccommodated in a container together with a food. Since the conventionalfreshness-keeping agent or the like has not been secured to thecontainer, there arises a problem in that the consumers may be misleadto recognize the freshness-keeping agent as a food or places and cooksthe freshness-keeping agent with the food on a frying pan or the like.

Accordingly, a method has been studied and employed in which a bag,which accommodates the freshness-keeping agent or the like, is securedto the packing bag or the container.

As a conventional method of securing the freshness-keeping agent or thelike, a method in which heat sealing is utilized, a method in which ahot-melt material is used and a method in which a double-coated tape isemployed have been widely used. The securing method arranged to use thedouble-coated tape comprises steps of: automatically supplying a seriesof bag members formed by continuously connecting the small bags foraccommodating the freshness-keeping agent or the like; continuouslyapplying the double-coated tape on the series of bag members; sectioningthe series of bag members on which the double-coated tape has beenapplied and which accommodates the freshness-keeping agent or the likeinto each bag unit in synchronization with an apparatus to manufacturethe packing bags or the packing containers; and respectively securingthe thus obtained small bags to the packing bags or the inside portionsof the packing containers. In this method, the double-coated tape havinga predetermined width is wound around a reel by a predetermined length.

Hence, when a coil of the double-coated tape has been depleted, thefollowing operations must be performed: the operation of the apparatusfor applying the double-coated tape is stopped; the reel from which thedouble-coated tape has been completely depleted is changed for anotherreel to which a new double-coated tape is wound; and the double-coatedtape is set to the commencement state in which the new double-coatedtape wound around the reel can be applied on a continuous series of bagsarranged in a belt-like configuration.

With the method in which the double-coated tape is used as describedabove, the operation of the apparatus for applying tape must be stoppedwhenever the double-coated tape wound around one reel has been depleted,and therefore all of the operations of the apparatus and the process ofpacking the foods must be stopped as well as stopping the apparatus forapplying the tape. Therefore, the manufacturing efficiency has beenexcessively deteriorated and stopping the apparatus raises variousproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for continuously applying a tape on a belt-like member.Another object of the present invention is to provide a method forcontinuously applying a tape on a belt-like member.

In order to achieve the aforesaid object, according to the presentinvention, a technique is disclosed for use in applying a tape on atwo-sided belt-like member which is being fed continuously, in which anew tape loaded as a spare is delivered when the tape is depleted so asto continue the operation of applying the tape, so that the tape can becontinuously stuck on the belt-like member by using a plurality of thetapes while eliminating the necessity of stopping the operation to applythe tape on the belt-like member.

An apparatus and a method according to the present invention areemployed in a process of packing foods or the like in which bags whichaccommodate an oxygen scavenger, freshness-keeping agents or desiccatingagents are, by means of adhesive tapes, applied on sheets or films foruse as covers of containers. More particularly, the method utilizes adouble-coated adhesive tape and a separation tape, and in operation, theseparation sheet is removed or peeled off from the double-coatedtwo-sided tape, and one side of the double-coated tape with the adhesiveagent is applied on the sheet or the film and another side of the sameis applied on the bag which accommodates the oxygen scavenger.

An apparatus for applying tape according to the present inventioncomprises: a belt-like member to be supplied continuously; firstaccommodating means for accommodating a tape; first applicator means forapplying the first tape accommodated in the first accommodating means onthe belt like member; first feeding means for feeding the first tapefrom the first accommodating means to the applicator means; secondaccommodating means for accommodating a spare or second tape; secondapplicator means for applying the spare tape accommodated in the secondaccommodating means on the belt-like member; second feeding means forfeeding the spare tape accommodated in the second accommodating means tothe second applicator means; and switching means for activating thesecond applicator means and the second feeding means to apply the secondtape on the belt-like member when the first tape accommodated in thefirst accommodating means has been depleted.

In the embodiment of the present invention, detection means fordetecting the depletion of the tape is provided if necessary, so thatfeeding and applying of the spare tape are performed depending upon thedetection of the depletion of the tape.

It is preferable that the operations of the first applicator means andthe feeding means for the tape which has been depleted be stoppedsimultaneously with activation of the second applicator means and thesecond feeding means.

When the tape is depleted, a new tape is supplied as the spare tape. Byrepeating this operation, the tape can be continuously applied on thebelt-like member.

For example, a double-coated tape is used as the tape according to thepresent invention. The "double-coated tape" means a tape having oppositesides or surface on each of which an adhesive agent (or a pressuresensitive agent) is applied, at least one side having a separation sheetplaced thereon. In particular, it is preferable that a double-coatedtape having the separation sheet only on one side thereof be employed.The double-coated tape is wound around a reel and is rewound from thereel at the time of the operation.

The "belt-like member" means a member formed into a belt-like shape or aplate-like belt in which a plurality of bags accommodating an oxygenscavenger, a freshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent areconnected in one direction. The "plate-like belt" means a belt-likemember in which a plurality of belt-like labels or belt-like stickersare connected to one another.

The aforesaid accommodating means may be a reel around which the tape iswound. The tape is fed from the reel so as to, through a guide rollerserving as a feeding means for controlling the feeding direction and theposition of the rewound tape and a tension roller for, if necessary,adjusting the looseness of the tape and the like, be supplied to oneside of the belt-like member which is conveyed continuously. In a casewhere the double-coated tape is used, the side on which the separationsheet is not stuck is made to face the belt-like member.

The applicator means is composed of a pair of rollers which are alwaysrotated and are capable of coming in contact with each other or movingaway from each other. In a case where the tape is applied on thebelt-like member, the belt-like member and the tape are conveyed througha space between the two rollers and the tape can be applied on thebelt-like member by forcibly bringing the two rollers into contact witheach other. A pair of rollers for applying the spare tape on thebelt-like member are positioned away from each other until the sparetape is used.

The switching means according to the present invention switches theoperation from the line for the depleted tape to the line for the sparetape, by, for example, bringing the pair of the application rollers forthe spare tape into contact with each other and moving the same for thedepleted tape away from each other.

The switching means includes an actuator for moving at least one of thepair of the rollers. The actuator is exemplified by a structure which isoperated by at least any one of a spring, magnetic force, air pressureor hydraulic pressure. The aforesaid actuator is exemplified by an armor a rod.

When the depletion of the tape is detected, depending upon a receipt ofthe detection signal transmitted from the detection means, the pair ofthe rollers of the applicator means are moved away from each other, andat the same time the pair of rollers of the spare tape applicator meansare forcibly brought into contact with each other, so that applicationof the spare tape is commenced. The force for delivering the tape fromthe reel is obtained from the adhesive force generated at the time ofapplying the tape on the belt-like member which is being continuouslyconveyed.

The apparatus according to the present invention has means forcontinuously removing or peeling off the separation sheet from thedouble-coated tape. The method according to the present inventionincludes a process of removing the separation sheet from thedouble-coated tape. The peeling means comprises a separation guideroller for guiding the separation sheet which has been separated fromthe double-coated tape away from said double-coated tape, and a pair ofdischarging rollers for discharging the separation sheet from theseparation guide roller to a chute for discharging the separation sheet.If necessary, a tension roller may be provided which eliminates thelooseness of the separation sheet and gives it a predetermined tension.The discharging rollers may comprise a drive roller and an idlingroller.

The separation sheet peeled off from the double-coated tape is, thus,sequentially conveyed through the aforesaid rollers and the chute so asto be discharged from the apparatus.

Similarly to the application rollers for applying the double-coatedtape, the pair of discharging rollers are capable of selectively comingin contact with each other or moving away from each other. That is, atleast one of the pair of the rollers is structured similarly to that ofthe aforesaid rollers so as to be capable of changing the position ofthe roller. The force for rotating the discharging rollers is obtainedfrom a motor directly connected to the drive rollers. Usually, theaforesaid rollers are always rotated. The separation sheet is conveyedby the separation guide roller and through a space between the pair ofthe discharging rollers, and the two rollers are forcibly brought intocontact with each other, so that the separation sheet can becontinuously peeled off from the double-coated tape and discharged tothe chute. Before use of the spare tape, the discharging rollers for thespare tape are positioned away from each other. When the detectionsignal denoting the depletion of the tape is received, the actuator isactivated, so that the pair of the rollers which are discharging theseparation sheet of the depleting tape are moved away from each otherand another pair of the rollers for the spare tape are forcibly broughtinto contact with each other.

The spare tape is set along a line extending from the accommodatingmeans, the feeding means and the applicator means, so that applicationof the spare tape can be performed immediately after the tape, which wasbeing applied, has been depleted. Specifically, the leading portion ofthe spare tape accommodated by the reel extends through a space betweenthe pair of application rollers and is placed in a slightly forwardposition in the lower stream from the application rollers. Theseparation sheet is peeled off from the tape, and the leading portion ofthe separation sheet is placed between the discharging rollers.

The depletion of the tape can be detected by, for example, detectionmeans. A preferable example of the detection means may be a structurefor transmitting a detection signal denoting the detection of thedepletion of the tape when the diameter of the tape wound around thereel is reduced to a value smaller than a predetermined value. Forexample, a structure may be employed in which a light transmitter isprovided on either side of the reel around which the tape is wound and alight receiver is provided on another side so as to cause the receiverto transmit a detection signal in response to the light which has passedthrough the tape when the diameter of the tape wound around the reel hasbeen reduced. Another structure may be employed which receives reflectedultrasonic waves, or a structure which detects a change in the magnetismor a static capacity or a structure which uses a limit switch may beemployed.

Simultaneously with or after a predetermined time from the receipt ofthe detection signal supplied from the detection means, the tape feedingmeans and the applicator means are stopped, and the spare tape feedingmeans and the applicator means are started. Simultaneously with or aftera predetermined time from the receipt of the detection signal, the tapewhich is being almost depleted is cut, because, the inner end portion ofthe reeled tape consists only of the separation sheet. The tape which isalmost depleted is cut at a position within a range of the flow of thetape from a position immediately after the tape extends from the reel toa position immediately before reaching the application rollers.Depending upon the aforesaid cutting position, timing at which the sparetape is fed after the receipt of the signal from the detector isdetermined.

The aforementioned various rollers may be unified by forming a pluralityof guide grooves in one roller. For example, the separation guide rollerfor guiding the separation sheet and the roller for guiding the sparedouble-coated tape may be replaced by one common roller which has guidegrooves running parallel to each other. The guide roller for guiding thedouble-coated tape which is being fed and the guide roller for guidingthe spare double-coated tape may also be replaced by one common rollerwhich has guide grooves running parallel to each other. The guide rollerfor guiding the separation sheet which is being peeled off and theseparation guide roller for guiding the separation sheet of the sparedouble-coated tape may also be replaced by one common roller which hasguide grooves running parallel to each other. When the structure, inwhich the common roller is used, is employed, the size of the apparatuscan be reduced.

The operation of moving the pair of application rollers away from eachother, the operation of moving the pair of separation guide rollers forguiding the separation sheet away from each other and the operation offorcibly bringing the pair of rollers for applying the spare tape intocontact with each other to be performed when the tape is depleted may beautomatically performed under the control carried out by a microcomputerto which the aforesaid detection signal is supplied. The aforesaidoperations may alternatively be performed manually.

As described above, according to the present invention, the tape can becontinuously applied on the belt-like member.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willappear more fully from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view which illustrates a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line III--III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view which illustrates a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common rollerformed by integrating a guide roller 7 and a guide roller 4';

FIG. 6 is a schematic view which illustrates a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common rollerwhich performs the operations of a guide roller 4 and the guide roller4';

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common rollerformed by integrating position restricting rollers 5 and 5' forrestricting the positions of double-coated tapes B and C;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common rollerformed by integrating position restricting rollers 14 and 14' forrestricting the positions of the separation sheets D and E; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view which illustrates a common rollerformed by integrating guide rollers 7 and 7' for guiding the separationsheets D and E.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings.

An apparatus for applying tape according to the present invention has amechanism (omitted from illustration) for continuously supplying abelt-like member A. A system for feeding and applying the double-coatedtape on the belt-like member A is composed of lines α and β. One of thetwo lines is in an operational state in which the tape is being fed andapplied, while another line is in a waiting state for next tape feedingand applying operations. Each line comprises: unreels 1 and 1' to whichdouble-coated tapes B and C each having a separation sheet stuck on oneside thereof are respectively wound; and guide bars 2 and 2' for guidingthe surface of the double-coated tape on which the separation sheet isapplied. The line further comprises: friction rollers for guiding thesurface of the double-coated tape on which an adhesive agent is appliedand eliminating looseness of the double-coated tape at the time offeeding to give a tension to the double-coated tape; and guide rollers 4and 4' for guiding the double-coated tape in the feeding direction inwhich the same is applied on the belt-like member A. The line furthercomprises: position restricting rollers 5 and 5' for restricting thefinal position at the time of applying the double-coated tape on thebelt-like member A; and application rollers 6 and 6' each of which iscomposed of a pair of stationary roller (6) (6') and a movable roller 6A(6'A) to apply the adhesive side of the double-coated tape having noseparation sheet on the belt-like member A by forcibly pressing thedouble-coated tape between the two rollers 6 and 6A. The line furthercomprises: separation sheet guide rollers 7 and 7' for, in the feedingdirection, guiding the separation sheets D and E peeled off from thedouble-coated tape; and tension rollers 8 and 8' for eliminatinglooseness of the separation sheets D and E to give them a predeterminedtension. The line further comprises: drive rollers 9 and 9' to which amotor is directly connected so as to be rotated for the purpose ofcontinuously delivering the separation sheet; idle rollers 10 and 10'disposed to correspond to the drive rollers 9 and 9'; and deliveringchute 11 for exhausting the separation sheet, the delivering chute 11being commonly used by the two lines. The pair of drive rollers 9, 9'and opposed idle rollers 10, 10' defines discharging rollers.

FIG. 2 is cross sectional view taken along line II--II of FIG. 1 andillustrating the cross sectional shape of a half portion of theseparation guide roller 7. FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken alongline III--III of FIG. 1 and illustrating the cross sectional shape of ahalf portion of the guide roller 4 for guiding the double-coated tape.The aforesaid rollers have guide grooves 30 which come in contact withthe double-coated tape or the separation sheet.

The aforesaid movable roller 6A (6'A) of the pair of application rollers6 (6') can be moved to or away from the stationary roller by a slidelever 13 (13'). The pair of application rollers 6 and 6A are broughtinto contact with each other to apply the double-coated tape on thebelt-like member in a space between the two rollers. Another pair of theapplication rollers 6' and 6'A which are not in operation are moved awayfrom each other.

Also the idle roller 10 (10') is able to move toward the drive roller 9(9') in such a way that they come in contact with each other at the timeof discharging the separation sheet from the double-coated tape todeliver the separation sheet positioned between the idle roller and thedrive roller to the chute. When an operation of peeling off theseparation sheet is not performed, the aforesaid rollers are moved awayfrom each other, and thus, feeding of the separation sheet is notperformed.

The idle roller and the drive roller are provided for each of the linesα and β. The idle rollers omitted from the illustrations are disposedperpendicularly to the drawings sheet. Also the drive rollers arearranged similarly.

The surface of each of the friction rollers 3 and 3' is brought intocontact with the surface of the double-coated tape on which theseparation sheet is not stuck but the adhesive agent is applied. Inorder to prevent adhesion of the double-coated tape to the surface ofthe roller which will cause a difficulty in feeding the tape, aslit-like groove is formed in the surface of the friction roller. Theslit-like groove also enables a braking effect to be obtained at thetime of feeding the double-coated tape.

The separation guide rollers 7 and 7' adjust the direction in which theseparation sheet is removed in order to smoothly peel off the separationsheet from the double-coated tape. The idle rollers 10 and 10' press theseparation sheet to the drive rollers 9 and 9' to deliver the separationsheet, while causing the drive rollers 9 and 9' to pull the separationsheet by the rotational force of the drive rollers 9 and 9'. Thus,feeding of the separation sheet is performed by a degree correspondingto the looseness of the separation sheet, so that the separation sheetis delivered.

Assuming that the double-coated tape B is to be applied on the belt-likemember A and the double-coated tape C is the spare tape, thedouble-coated tape B is unwound from the unreel 1 and is extendedthrough the guide bar 2, the friction roller 3, the guide roller 4 andthe position restricting roller 5, to a position immediately before theapplication roller 6.

The double-coated tape B is forcibly brought into contact with thebelt-like member A when it passes through the pair of the rollers 6, sothat the adhesive side of the double-coated tape B is applied on thebelt-like member A. The separation sheet D placed on the opposing sideof the double-coated tape B is peeled off from the double-coated tape Bwhen it passes through the application roller 6. Then, the feedingdirection of the separation sheet D is guided by the separation guideroller 7. The looseness generated due to the excess portion of theseparation sheet D is absorbed by the tension roller 8. Then, theseparation sheet D is further fed by the drive roller 9 and the idleroller 10 brought into contact with the drive roller 9, so that theseparation sheet is discharged through the guide chute 11.

The force for feeding the double-coated tape from the reel can beobtained from a fact that the double-coated tape is conveyed integrallywith the belt like member taken place due to application of thedouble-coated tape on the belt-like member which is being continuouslysupplied.

The spare tape C is delivered from the unreel 1' and passes through theguide bar 2', the friction roller 3', the guide roller 4' and theposition restricting roller 5', and further through the pair of therollers 6' moved away from each other. The separation sheet E is peeledoff from the double-coated spare tape C immediately after thedouble-coated tape has been passed through the roller 6', and only theseparation sheet E further extends through the separation guide roller7' and the tension roller 8'. Then, it is further conveyed through thespace between the drive roller 9' and the distanced idle roller 10', andthe leading portion of the separation sheet is introduced into the guidechute 11, so that the line of the space tape C and E are in a waitingstate ready for the operation of applying the double-coated tape and thedischarge of the separation sheet.

Light oscillators 12A and 12'A are disposed on either side of theunreels 1 and 1', while light receivers 12B and 12'B are disposed onanother side of the same. The intensity of transmitted light ispreviously adjusted so as to transmit the light from the lightoscillators through the tape to the light receivers simultaneously orimmediately before the double-coated tape is depleted after theoperation of applying the double-coated tape on the belt-like member hasbeen proceeded with and the diameter of the double-coated tape has beenreduced.

Immediately before the depletion of the double-coated tape loaded on theline which is being operated, a detection signal is transmitted from theaforesaid light receiver 12B. In response to a control signaltransmitted from a microcomputer (omitted from illustration) which hasreceived the aforesaid signal, the slide bar 13 is operated to move themovable roller 6A away from the stationary roller of the applicationrollers 6 and the idle roller 10 of the discharging rollers is movedaway from the drive roller 9. At this time, the double-coated tape B iscut at a position immediate after the double-coated tape B has beenconveyed through the reel 1. The aforesaid cutting operation may beperformed manually or by using a cutting device which receives a controlsignal transmitted from the microcomputer.

Simultaneously with the receipt of the detection signal transmitted fromthe light receiver 12B, the movable roller 6'A of the application roller6' is forcibly brought into contact with the stationary roller and theidle roller the discharging rollers 10' is pressed against the driveroller 9'. As a result, the operation of applying the sparedouble-coated tape C on the belt-like member A is commenced andsimultaneously the discharge of the separation sheet E of thedouble-coated tape D is commenced.

During the operation of applying the spare tape C, another unreel 1 towhich a new double-coated tape (the spare tape) is wound is set whilesetting the double-coated tape and the separation sheet to predeterminedpositions by the aforesaid method. When the double-coated tape C woundaround the unreel 1' is depleted, switching to application of thedouble-coated tape from the unreel 1 is performed. By repeating theaforesaid operation, the tape can be continuously applied on thebelt-like member while eliminating the necessity of stopping the tapeapplying operation. When the double-coated tape to be applied on thebelt-like member is switched, the tape which is being applied on thebelt-like member and the spare tape may be connected to each other byapplying their superposed end portions on the surface of the belt-likemember or by applying them on the surface of the belt-like member whilemaking them run parallel and eliminating the operation of applying them.

Although the aforesaid embodiment is arranged in such a way that theaforesaid various rollers are respectively provided for the lines α andβ, a roller of one line and a roller of the other line may be replacedby one common roller having a plurality of guide grooves formed thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side surface of the guide roller 7 andthat of the guide roller 4' are slanted in opposite directions from eachother, so that the separation sheet D delivered from the guide roller 7and the tape C, which is being fed to the guide roller 4', are moveddiagonally in opposite directions and thereby their intersection can beprevented. As a result, both of the double-coated tape and theseparation sheet can be fed smoothly. The angle (θ₁) of the guide rollerand the angle (θ₂) of the guide roller 4' may be θ₁ =θ₂ =60°. However.the present invention is not limited to this. For example, they may bedifferent values or another selected values.

FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus according to a second embodiment inwhich, for example, the guide roller 7 for guiding the separation sheetD and the guide roller 4' for guiding the double-coated tape C isreplaced by a common roller 15. The guide roller 15 has, as shown inFIG. 5, guide grooves 40 and 42 running parallel so as to cause thedouble-coated tape to be conveyed through either groove and theseparation sheet to be conveyed through the other groove. As a result ofthe arrangement made as shown in FIG. 4, the number of the rollers canbe decreased and the size of the apparatus can be reduced. The apparatusshown in FIG. 4 further comprises separation sheet position restrictingrollers 14 and 14' for restricting the directions in which theseparation sheets D and E are fed, so that the direction in which theseparation sheets are fed with respect to the guide rollers 15 and 7'can be restricted. As a result, the separation sheet can be smoothlydischarged. The guide groove 40 and the guide groove 42 of the guideroller 15 shown in FIG. 5 can be rotated in opposite directionsdepending on which line is in operation, because the double-coated tapeC and the separation sheet D are fed in opposite directions.

FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment in which rollers except for theaforesaid application rollers 6 and 6', the idler rollers 10 and 10',the tension rollers 8 and 8' and the drive rollers 9 and 9' are replacedby corresponding common rollers. FIG. 7 is a side elevational view whichillustrates a roller 16 serving as a common roller used in place of theguide roller 4 for guiding the double-coated tape B which is being fedand the guide roller 4' for guiding the double-coated tape C which isbeing fed. FIG. 8 is a side elevational view which illustrates a roller17 formed by integrating the position restricting rollers 5 and 5' forthe double-coated tapes B and C. FIG. 9 is a side elevational view whichillustrates a roller 18 formed by integrating the position restrictingrollers 14 and 14' for the separation sheets D and E. FIG. 10 is a sideelevational view which illustrates a roller 19 formed by integrating theguide rollers 7 and 7' for the separation sheets D and E. Each of theaforesaid rollers has guide grooves 40 and 42 formed to run parallel soas to cause the double-coated tape or the separation sheet to beconveyed through either groove. The structure according to the aforesaidembodiment will enable an effect to be obtained in that the size of theapparatus can be reduced.

The detection means is not limited to the aforesaid detector. Forexample, it may be structured in this way that the length of the tape ispreviously set in a storage device of a microcomputer, the microcomputercalculates the length of the tape which has been fed and transmits adetection signal at the moment at which the tape has been depleted. Themethod of detecting the depletion of the tape by means of the detectorwill enable the depletion of the tape to be easily detected even if thetape has a different length.

Although the aforesaid embodiments have two lines for feeding thedouble-coated tapes to apply them on the belt-like members, three ormore lines may be provided. Furthermore, switching to the spare tape maybe performed manually. In addition, the depletion of the tape may bedetected visually.

The apparatus according to the aforesaid embodiments will cause thefollowing effect to be obtained in a method in which a series of bagmembers, each accommodating a freshness-keeping agent, a desiccatingagent or an oxygen scavenger, is automatically supplied, a double-coatedtape is applied on the series of bag members, the series of bag membersare sectioned into small bags and each bag is secured to the innersurface of the packing bag or the inner surface of the cover of thecontainer: the double-coated tape can be continuously applied whileeliminating the necessity of stopping the operation of applying thedouble-coated tape for switching the double-coated tape after thedouble-coated tape has been depleted. As a result, the necessity ofstopping the process of packing foods and the freshness-keeping agent,and the apparatus therefor can be eliminated. Consequently, the packingoperation can be performed significantly effectively and, therefore, thecost required to pack the foods can be satisfactorily reduced.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularly, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form may be changed in the details ofconstruction and an alternate combination and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of theinvention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for applying tape to a belt-likemember supplied continuously comprising:(A) a first accommodating meansfor accommodating a first double-coated, two-sided tape having aseparation sheet on a first side thereof; (B) a first applicator meansfor applying the second side of the first two-sided tape accommodated bysaid first accommodating means to a belt-like member; (C) a firstfeeding means for feeding the first two-sided tape from said firstaccommodating means to said first applicator means; (D) a first sheetremoving means for removing the separation sheet from the first side ofthe first two-sided tape; (E) a second accommodating means foraccommodating a second double-coated, two-sided tape having a separationsheet on a first side thereof; (F) a second applicator means forapplying the second side of the second two-sided tape accommodated insaid second accommodating means to a belt-like member; (G) a secondfeeding means for feeding the second two-sided tape accommodated in saidsecond accommodating means to said second applicator means; (H) a secondsheet removing means for removing the separation sheet from the firstside of the second two-sided tape, each of said first and second sheetremoving means including: (i) a separation guide roller for guiding theseparation sheet separated from said double-coated, two-sided tape awayfrom the double-coated, two-sided tape; (ii) a pair of feeding rollerswhich selectively substantially contact each other in a first positionto engage and feed the separation sheet therebetween and move away fromeach other to a second position to stop feeding the separation sheet;and (iii) a chute for discharging the separation sheet from said pair offeeding rollers; and (H) a switching means for activating said secondapplicator means, said second feeding and said second sheet removingmeans to apply the second double-coated tape to the belt like memberwhen the supply of the first double-coated tape applied to the belt-likemember by said first applicator means is depleted, said switching meansincluding an actuator which actuates said feeding rollers of said firstsheet removing means to move from the first position to the secondposition and said feeding rollers of said second sheet removing means tomove from said second position to said first position when thedouble-coated tape applied to the belt-like member by said firstapplicator means is depleted.
 2. An apparatus for applying tapeaccording to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detectingthe depletion of said tape.
 3. An apparatus for applying tape accordingto claim 2, wherein said switching means stops the operations of saidfirst applicator means and said first feeding means, and simultaneouslyactivates said second applicator means and said second feeding means. 4.An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 2, wherein thetwo-sided tape which is being fed is cut at a position immediatelybefore depletion in response to a detection signal transmitted from saiddetection means.
 5. An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 2,wherein said accommodating means is a reel around which said tape iswound and said detection means transmits a detection signal denotingthat the tape has been depleted when the diameter of the wound tape hasbeen reduced to a value smaller than a predetermined value.
 6. Anapparatus for applying tape according to claim 5, wherein said detectionmeans is a photoelectric tube.
 7. An apparatus for applying tapeaccording to claim 1, wherein a new double-coated, two-sided tape isaccommodated in either of said first accommodating means or said secondaccommodating means from which said first or second double-coated,two-sided tape has been depleted and said new double-coated, two-sidedtape is removed from its respective accommodating means when the tapeapplied to the belt-like member is depleted from either of said first orsecond accommodating means.
 8. An apparatus for applying tape accordingto claim 1, wherein the belt-like member is formed into a belt-likeshape in which a plurality of bags accommodating at least any one of anoxygen scavenger, a freshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent areconnected in one direction.
 9. An apparatus for applying tape accordingto claim 1, wherein the belt-like member is formed into a belt-likeshape formed by connecting a plurality of belt-like labels or belt-likestickers.
 10. An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 1,wherein each of said first and second sheet removing means has a guideroller for controlling the feeding direction and the position of thetwo-sided tape, and said first guide roller of said first feeding meansand said separation guide roller of said second sheet removing means areformed into one roller having guide grooves running parallel to eachother.
 11. An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 1, whereinsaid separation guide roller of said first sheet removing means and saidseparation guide roller of said second sheet removing means comprise oneroller having guide grooves running parallel to each other.
 12. Anapparatus for applying tape according to claim 1, wherein each of saidfirst and second applicator means has a pair of application rollerswhich selectively substantially contact each other in a first positionto convey the belt-like member and the two-sided tape through a spacetherebetween and apply the two-sided tape to the belt-like member byforcibly causing the two-sided tape and belt-like member to contact eachother and move away from each other to a second position to stop saidconveying and applying operation and, wherein said switching meansincludes an actuator which causes said first application rollers of saidfirst applicator means to move to said second position and said secondapplication rollers of said second applicator means to move to saidfirst position when said double-coated tape is depleted.
 13. Anapparatus for applying tape according to claim 12, wherein said secondtwo-sided, double-coated tape is conveyed through a space between saidpair of application rollers of said second applicator means, which arepositioned away from each other, the leading portion of said seconddouble-coated tape is positioned at a slightly forward position of saidsecond application rollers, said separation sheet is removed from saidspare double-coated tape and said separation sheet is disposed betweensaid pair of feeding rollers of said second applicator means, which arepositioned away from each other.
 14. An apparatus for applying tapeaccording to claim 2, wherein each of said first and second feedingmeans has a guide roller for controlling the feeding direction and theposition of said tape.
 15. An apparatus for applying tape according toclaim 14, wherein said guide roller of said first feeding means and saidguide roller of said second feeding means comprises one roller havingguide grooves running parallel to each other.
 16. An apparatus forapplying tape to a belt-like member supplied continuously comprising:(A)a first accommodating means for accommodating a first tape; (B) a firstapplicator means for applying the first tape accommodated by said firstaccommodating means to a belt-like member; (C) a first feeding means forfeeding the first tape from said first accommodating means to said firstapplicator means; (D) a second accommodating means for accommodating asecond tape; (E) a second applicator means for applying the second tapeaccommodated in said second accommodating means to a belt-like member;(F) a second feeding means for feeding the second tape accommodated insaid second accommodating means to said second applicator means; and (G)a switching means for activating said second applicator means and saidsecond feeding means to apply said second tape on said belt-like memberwhen said first tape accommodated in said first accommodating means hasbeen depleted, wherein each of said first and second applicator meanshas a pair of application rollers which selectively substantiallycontact each other in a first position to convey the belt-like memberand the tape through a space therebetween and apply the tape to thebelt-like member by forcibly causing the tape and belt-like member tocontact each other and move away from each other to a second position tostop said conveying and applying operation and said switching meansincludes an actuator which causes said first application rollers of saidfirst applicator means to move to said second position and said secondapplication rollers of said second applicator means to move to saidfirst position when said double-coated tape is depleted.
 17. Anapparatus for applying tape according to claim 16, wherein a new tape isaccommodated in either of said first accommodating means or said secondaccommodating means from which tape has been depleted and said new tapeis made to be the second tape.
 18. An apparatus for applying tapeaccording to claim 16, wherein the belt-like member is formed into abelt-like shape in which a plurality of bags are connected in onedirection, each bag accommodating at least one of an oxygen scavenger, afreshness-keeping agent or a desiccating agent.
 19. An apparatus forapplying tape according to claim 16, wherein the belt-like member has abelt-like shape formed by connecting a plurality of belt-like labels orbelt-like stickers.
 20. An apparatus for applying tape according toclaim 16, wherein said second double-coated tape is conveyed through aspace between said pair of application rollers of said second applicatormeans, which are positioned in said second position, the leading portionof the second double-coated tape is positioned at a slightly forwardposition of said second application rollers, the separation sheet isremoved from the second double-coated tape and the separation sheet isdisposed between said pair of feeding rollers of said second sheetremoving means, which are positioned in said second position.
 21. Anapparatus for applying tape according to claim 16, further comprisingdetection means for detecting the depletion of said tape.
 22. Anapparatus for applying tape according to claim 21, wherein saidswitching means stops the operations of said first applicator means andsaid first feeding means, and simultaneously activates said secondapplicator means and said second feeding means.
 23. An apparatus forapplying tape according to claim 21, wherein the tape which is being fedis cut at a position immediately before depletion in response to adetection signal transmitted from said detection means.
 24. An apparatusfor applying tape according to claim 21, wherein said accommodatingmeans is a reel around which said tape is wound and said detection meanstransmits a detection signal denoting that the amount of tape remaininghas been reduced to a value smaller than a predetermined value.
 25. Anapparatus for applying tape according to claim 24, wherein saiddetection means is a photoelectric tube.
 26. An apparatus for applyingtape according to claim 16, wherein each of said first and secondfeeding means has a guide roller for controlling the feeding directionand the position of the tape.
 27. An apparatus for applying tapeaccording to claim 26, wherein said guide roller of said first feedingmeans and said guide roller of said second feeding means comprises oneroller having guide grooves running parallel to each other.
 28. Anapparatus for applying tape according to claim 16, wherein each tape isa double-coated tape having a separation sheet on one side thereof andsaid first and second applicator means apply the other side of thedouble-coated tape on which said separation sheet is not provided. 29.An apparatus for applying tape according to claim 28, further comprisinga first sheet removing means for removing the separation sheet from thefirst double-coated tape applied to the belt-like member and a secondsheet removing means for removing the separation sheet when the seconddouble-coated tape is applied to the belt-like member.
 30. An apparatusfor applying tape according to claim 29, wherein each of said first andsecond sheet removing means comprises a separation guide roller forguiding the separation sheet separated from the double-coated tape awayfrom the double-coated tape; a pair of feeding rollers which selectivelysubstantially contact each other in a first position to engage and feedthe separation sheet or move away from each other in a second positionto stop feeding the separation sheet; and a chute for discharging theseparation sheet from said feeding rollers, and wherein said switchingmeans includes an actuator which actuates said feeding rollers of saidfirst sheet removing means to move to said second position and saiddischarging rollers of said second sheet removing means to move to saidfirst position when the double-coated tape is depleted.
 31. An apparatusfor applying tape according to claim 30, wherein each of said first andsecond feeding means has a guide roller for controlling the feedingdirection and the position of the tape, and said first guide roller ofsaid first feeding means and said separation guide roller of said secondsheet removing means are formed into one roller having guide grooverunning parallel to each other.
 32. An apparatus for applying tapeaccording to claim 30, wherein said separation guide roller of saidfirst sheet removing means and said separation guide roller of saidsecond peeling means comprise one roller having guide grooves runningparallel to each other.